Dirty water and dirty politics

November 15, 2017

Join Lee Voter Freedom to restore our waterways and accountability in local government.

Lee Voter Freedom has initiated a grassroots effort to place a referendum on the November 2018 ballot that will open up the Lee County Commission election to all Lee County registered voters.

Special interests, including the sugar industry, provide generous financial support in the Lee County Commission elections to ensure their handpicked candidates are elected in the primary. A loophole in Florida election laws allow for a "write in" candidate to run for Lee County Commission with no intention of campaigning for office but, to marginalize the voters by closing the primary. A closed primary excludes nearly 60 percent of Lee County registered voters.

A local Primary that treats all registered voters as Americans, without political labels, would enhance voter participation and provide a viable field of candidates that would represent the public interest, not the special interest. Our community would have a better chance of electing candidates that would commit to protecting and restoring the Caloosahatchee and our coastal estuaries as well as restoring confidence in our local government.

For voter freedom and government accountability, we need volunteers during the petition drive and financial support. Your meaningful and generous donation would be made payable to 'Lee Voter Freedom' and sent to 4280 Cleveland Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33901-9033 or you can learn more at www.leevoterfreedom.com.